Chapter 63: A Calculated Move

Releasing a sigh of relief, my grandfather, who had been smiling, picked up the receiver.

“Hak-jae, bring Jo Dae-ho home right now.”

Putting down the receiver, my grandfather looked at me with a satisfied expression and began to speak.

“I’m the most criticized person in this country. I’ve been wheeled into the Seoul Central District Prosecutor’s Office four times, convicted twice. And I’ve had eight presidents of subsidiaries go to jail for me.”

Why doesn’t he mention that both convictions ended with suspended sentences, and all the subsidiary presidents who went to jail were on the President’s pardon list?

“That criticism started to dissipate as my children grew up. Now, Young-joon gets his share too.”

Grandfather raised his hand and pointed outside.

Does he mean we fight with the public, pointing fingers at each other?

One side with jealousy and anger, the other with contempt and disregard.

“You’ll soon… no, you might already be experiencing it. When you received incredible scores on the university entrance exam and gave interviews, people would have whispered. Saying you had expensive private tutoring worth tens of millions of won. That you got into Seoul National University by throwing money around. And some people would have cursed like this: Why is a third-generation chaebol going to law school? Because of you, someone who really deserved it was rejected.”

He pretends not to care about public opinion, but he seems to be aware of the trends since reports are diligently submitted.

“Whether you like it or not, you were born into the family of a villain, and no matter what you do, people will denigrate your achievements, saying you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Yes, I won’t waver.”

There are many villains wearing masks. And there are even more people deceived by those masks.

The world will change in the future. A person’s image, personal identity management, will be quite an important variable in this world. I need to prepare many masks.

“Alright, you can go now. Chief of Staff Lee and President Jo will be arriving soon. Oh, and the merger announcement press conference should be centered around Soonyang. President Jo Dae-ho will be the one stepping up.”

The fact that I’m acquiring Ajin needs to be kept secret. Grandfather knows this well. If they find out that I’m the key player in this merger of the two companies, the relatives with hidden teeth won’t stay still.

“Of course. I’ll start preparations right away.”

I bowed to my grandfather, and he patted my back, showing a pleased smile.

How much will he give me on top of Soonyang Automobile? Or is he planning to use me to swallow Ajin Group whole?

* * *

“I’m planning to absorb Ajin Group.”

“Yes?”

The two men who had rushed over in the middle of the night couldn’t hide their bewilderment at Chairman Jin’s first words, which served as an abrupt greeting.

It was a bolt from the blue.

“Chairman, it’s already leaning towards Daehyun. We don’t have the time to prepare now… and most of all, we don’t have the funds.”

“That’s right. Jumping into a game that’s already over is a bit….”

Chairman Jin raised a hand, silencing the two men.

“We’re only dipping our toes in. And that toe is you, Jo Dae-ho.”

“Yes?”

President Jo tried hard to understand Chairman Jin’s intentions, but he couldn’t make heads or tails of it.

“If Miracle acquires Ajin Group, Soonyang Automobile will merge with Ajin Automobile. That’s your job.”

“M-merge…?”

“We’ll carve out only Soonyang Automobile from our group and combine it with Ajin Automobile. The two automobile companies will have a fresh start, and the first CEO of that automobile company will be you, Jo Dae-ho.”

President Jo was speechless, and Chief of Staff Lee Hak-jae was busy grasping Chairman Jin’s plan.

“Chairman, no matter how we adjust the merger ratio, the largest shareholder will be Miracle Investment. The controlling shareholder of Miracle will control the merged company.”

As Chief of Staff Lee spoke cautiously, the corners of Chairman Jin’s lips turned up, forming a bright smile.

“Oh Se-hyun of Miracle reached out. He must know that if things continue this way, he’ll end up with nothing. He intends to create a new specialized automobile company and then hand it over to our Soonyang. Nicely packaged, of course. Haha.”

“What about Miracle then?”

“They’re just in the money game anyway. We’ve agreed to give them a generous price for the packaging.”

“Deferred payment, of course? And in installments over five, no, maybe ten years.”

Lee Hak-jae, the most sensitive to the group’s financial situation, quickly confirmed.

“What choice does a dog with its tail between its legs have? He said he’ll do whatever we want. Don’t worry.”

Unlike Chief of Staff Lee, who was relieved, President Jo Dae-ho still didn’t have a bright expression.

“Sir, Chairman Song Hyun-chang of Ajin…?”

“We can’t just kick him out right away, can we? And he needs to be there for the Ajin Group union to stay quiet. Didn’t those guys say it themselves at the last press conference? No strikes, wage freeze. How great is that? They’ll just shut up and work?”

“Have you considered a suitable position for him?”

“We’ll keep his title as Chairman of Ajin Group. You just need to secure the automobile division. Within six months, clean out Song Hyun-chang’s cronies, and within three years, fill the remaining executive positions in the subsidiaries with our people.”

The time it takes for an occupying force to pacify the territory: three years.

It’s obvious that if there’s any noise during the pacification or if the process is slow, his own removal will be even faster.

President Jo Dae-ho swallowed hard and steeled his resolve.

The position of CEO of Soonyang Automobile, which never escapes being last place, was thought to be out of reach, but another opportunity like this has come.

“Schedule the merger announcement the day before the review. So that Daehyun will be left dumbfounded, watching our conference.”

Chairman Jin seemed to be on cloud nine again.

He was seething inside because Chairman Joo of Daehyun seemed likely to swallow Ajin, which was much more appetizing than Hando Steel, but the thought of Chairman Joo having his fully prepared meal snatched away made him feel delighted and refreshed.

“Let’s stop here for today, and since we’re all gathered, shall we have a drink? Think of it as a celebratory toast?”

Even when they get old, men are still men.

Lee Hak-jae had already taken out his cell phone.

“I’ll arrange it.”

“Good. I’ll go change my clothes and come down. Haha.”

* * *

“Ugh, my head hurts.”

“Wasn’t it incredibly expensive liquor?”

“No matter how good the liquor is, you can’t beat the amount. I drank too much.”

He kept pressing his temples and gulping down water, but Oh Se-hyun’s eyes showed anticipation.

“So, did you get anything? That card that’s in someone else’s hand… did you bring it?”

“Yes.”

Oh Se-hyun slammed the cup he had brought to his lips onto the table.

“The old man threw the card in his hand to us.”

“Chairman Jin?”

“Yes. Soonyang Automobile is also a huge card in our hands. Haha.”

“What? Soonyang?”

Soonyang Automobile was the best hangover cure, getting rid of a headache in one go.

I explained in detail the negotiations I had with my grandfather last night, and Oh Se-hyun listened carefully.

“So, in the end, he revealed his intention to hand over Soonyang Automobile to you?”

“No. It’s not confirmed yet. He’s not that easygoing.”

“Why? If the automobile division is separated and attached to Ajin Group, isn’t that yours? He knows Miracle Investment belongs to you, right?”

“The merger ratio remains. If Grandfather doesn’t yield then, the owner will change.”

“What are you talking about again? He agreed to the merger….”

Oh Se-hyun would never be able to understand the true nature of my grandfather, Chairman Jin. His greed takes precedence over blood ties.

If he didn’t have that much greed, he wouldn’t have been able to create the Soonyang Group.

“Uncle, Grandfather isn’t the type to give something away while mixing his things with mine. He’s the type to take everything first and then share a little.”

He’s the type to take the beer I have, then mix it with the whiskey Grandfather has, and hand me the glass. And I will kneel and gratefully accept that glass.

That’s the picture Grandfather wants.

“So, you’ve settled the merger ratio too? Already?”

“Not yet. We should discuss that after we acquire Ajin. I’ll take care of that issue too, so don’t worry.”

By the time the selection of the acquisition target is finalized and the merger process begins, harsh winter will be approaching.

An unprecedentedly harsh winter.

The entire South Korea will be frozen solid, and countless citizens will freeze to death, but everyone will be helpless, just watching in despair.

When Soonyang, Daehyun, and the government are all scrambling for firewood, Grandfather will have no choice but to accept my proposal.

At that time, I will offer the glass, and Grandfather will have to gratefully accept it.

“Uncle, first, meet with Chairman Song Hyun-chang. Inform him of the merger plan, and… if he says anything out of line….”

“Sure. I’ll tell him firmly not to say anything out of line. Anyway, he only has a few more years to live. He must know that whether he’s on an IV drip or a respirator, it’s all the same.”

As Oh Se-hyun put on his coat, I brought up an important issue.

“Uncle, can you buy stocks under borrowed names?”

“Borrowed names?”

“Yes. Soonyang Automobile’s stock price will plummet. Because we’ll also announce that we’re selling off all the Soonyang Group subsidiaries’ shares that were propping up the stock price.”

“A complete spin-off, huh… I see. But if the situation remains the same, it will recover again, right?”

“Let’s prepare in advance. So we can buy everything up when it hits rock bottom.”

“Alright. I’ll take a spin around Namdaemun and Myeong-dong. I should have some fun with this opportunity too.”

As expected, his nature, honed in the securities market, remains the same. He doesn’t miss an opportunity.

The stock market, a legal casino anyone can participate in.

People repeatedly lose and win, but those who know what the next card will be make a fortune.

Among those who can’t see the cards, those who are quick-witted will lose only a little, and those who are slow to judge will lose a lot.

“Oh, take this with you. The Hanseong Ilbo card worked well.”

“Did you pull up some roots?”

“It’s the prestigious Hanseong Ilbo, after all. I probably only pulled up a few root hairs. Hehe.”

What does it matter if they’re just root hairs? As long as my dark-hearted sister-in-law is surprised.

* * *

“Soonyang Automobile will become a completely independent company through a spin-off. And it will play a key role in establishing itself as a specialized automobile company by merging with Ajin Automobile.”

Even before the press conference, breaking news had already been released under the title of exclusive reports.

The conference hall was packed with media outlets pointing their cameras.

Chairman Song Hyun-chang, CEO Oh Se-hyun, and President Jo Dae-ho answered reporters’ questions with excited expressions.

“With this, I would like to say that our Miracle Investment is not just a speculative capital firm. We will dedicate ourselves to upgrading the Korean automobile industry.”

“Then what will be the roles of the three companies?”

“President Jo Dae-ho will be in charge of automobiles, which is the main focus of Ajin Group, and Chairman Song Hyun-chang will oversee the entire group. Our Miracle, as a shareholder, will not be involved in management at all and will only establish an audit team to carry out audit duties for the entire group.”

“Even if Soonyang divests all of its shares, isn’t President Jo Dae-ho a meritorious figure in Soonyang Group? Doesn’t this look like Soonyang Group is acquiring Ajin Group?”

President Jo Dae-ho smiled and picked up the microphone again.

“I won’t deny that my hometown is Soonyang Group. However, Soonyang Group will now be one of many shareholders. Furthermore, after the merger of the two companies, Soonyang Group plans to sell its shares step by step.”

“Once the acquisition is finalized and the merger is complete, we will change the group name as well. Not Ajin, not Soonyang, but a completely new name. We will completely transform into a professional automobile company heading towards the future.”

Chairman Song Hyun-chang’s final words sealed the deal.

While the press conference was in full swing, Chairman Jin of Soonyang had been on the phone for hours, wrestling with the situation.

“Listen, Chief Secretary Choi. Wouldn’t it be good for our country to have companies that specialize in one thing? I’m throwing away a valuable asset like the automobile division. Make a wise decision, since I have no intention of taking it back.”

“Director Kim. I’m backing you, so Ajin Group is now fine. Quickly finish the review tomorrow and have dinner with me.”

“Minister Yoon. I’ve already spoken to the Chief Secretary of the Blue House. Prepare a well-crafted emergency report and submit it. The President’s approval will come immediately.”

There was also someone watching the press conference, their whole body trembling.

“T-this is outrageous….”

Chairman Joo Young-il of Daehyun was disgusted that the TV he was watching was a Soonyang Electronics product.